**3. Chemical control**

Insecticides are applied according to economic damage level, which can vary depending on generation, cultivar susceptibility to subsequent infection by *B. cinerea* and the grape product target market (wine production or fresh consumption). Chemical control of the first generation is only applied when pest population density reaches 50% of buds infested. The apparent greater flexibility of the damage threshold for controlling the first generation lies in the fact that during the flowering and harvest periods, the reduction of flowers and grapes is compensated by increased size and weight of healthy grapes. For following larval generations, the damage threshold varies between 1% and 5% or between 10% and 15% of bunches damaged, depending on the cultivar, bunch rigidity and harvest time [21].

Neurotoxic insecticides are mainly used for controlling *L. botrana* populations, including chlorantraniliprole, abamectin, indoxacarb, chlorpyrifos, methyl chlorpyrifos, anthranilic diamides, emamectin and spinosad. Growth regulators are also used, including fenoxycarb, methoxyfenozide, and tebufenozide. All the insecticides mentioned are larvicides; however, methoxyfenozide, chlorantraniliprole and indoxacarb are also ovicides.

To be effective, these substances must be applied when the pest is in its most vulnerable development stage, which makes predicting the *L. botrana* development cycle fundamental for determining optimal treatment programs. Selective insecticide programs along with population monitoring via pheromone traps and field monitoring for eggs generally provide adequate *L. botrana* control [22].
